Electric panel board



A. E. ANDERSON ELECTRIC PANEL BOARD Filed Jun s, 1936 Dec. 13, 1938.

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EL l L Inventor Ar-vid B. Anderson, y 6:1

Hi Attorneg.

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 ELECTRIC PANEL BOARD Arvid E. Anderson, DrexelHill, Pa, assignor to I General Electric Company, a corporation of NewYork Application June 6, 1936, Serial No. 83,910

8 Claims.

My invention relates to electric panelboards, and more particularly tothe Wiring thereof.

Electric panelboards, upon which are mounted various electric devicessuch as indicating and recording instruments and meters, control means,

relays, rheostats, terminal and fuse blocks, terminals, etc., aregenerally wired on the rear side as contrasted with the instrument side.Where the number of devices and corresponding terminals necessitate aconsiderable number of circuit wires, the Wiring on the rear face of theboard may become complicated, difiicult to trace, and even unsightly,particularly where a large number of vertical and horizontal runs ofappreciable length are involved.

Heretofore, efforts to simplify panel wiring have been but partlysuccessful, particularly for large installations. For example, in thecase of multiple panelsforming a single board operating as a unit thehorizontal wiring from exterior circuits has been carriedin guttersdisposed either at the top or bottom of the board. The interconnectionsbetween panels were generally made in the field, i. e., afterinstallation, or if made at the factory were in the form of jumperspassing over the flanged edges between panels where steel panels areused, resulting in a generally unsightly appearance. Furthermore, inorder to permit breaking up of the panelboard for shipment, the wiringwas connected to terminal blocks at freof a multiple unit panelboardillustrating one application of my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspectiveview, partly in section, of a portion of a single unit of the multiplepanelboard shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view ofthe horizontal wiring trough shown inFig. 2 in a slightly modified form;Fig. 4 is, an elevational view of the rear face. of a single panel unitillustrating an application of my invention for vertical runs, and Fig.5 is a simplified plan view, partly in section, of the panel shown byFig. 4.

The multiple unit panelboard shown by Fig. 1 comprises in the presentinstance, a plurality of single panel units A, B and C which aresuitably I supported in a vertical position and are alined so as toconstitute a substantially continuousboard. The individual panel unitshave generally flat surfaces for mounting the various electric devicesand may be composed of slate or other suitable insulating material orsheet metal. A convenient 20 construction comprises a sheet metalsection having rearwardly extending right angle flanges at the sidesthereof as shown by Fig. 2. With this quent intervals, thereby producinga large num-' ber of joints in the wiring.

The gutter arrangement above referred to, while simplifying the incomingwiring to some extent is nevertheless awkward since the inter-panelwiring may be confused with single panel wiring, and moreover thevertical runs to the gutters may be of appreciable length.

A principal object of my invention'is the pro- 40 vision of an improvedand simplified wiring arrangement for panelboards carrying alarge numberof devices and terminals which is readily adaptable either to horizontalor vertical runs, and to both single and multiple panelboards, and whichis neat, less expensive than previous installations, and flexible withrespect to factory construction, shipment and reassembly.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following descriptionreferring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty whichcharacterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in theclaims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is an eleva- 55 tional view, partlydiagrammatic, of the rear face arrangement, the flanges serve assecuring means between panels.

For the purpose of simplifying the disclosure, comparatively few devicesand instruments are indicated on the panelboard, it being necessarymerely to illustrate the general arrangement of a few of the circuitwires actually connected to the various terminals. As illustrated, thedevices indicated on the panel A, such as a1, (12, as and a4, which maybe either on the front or rear face of the board, are provided withterminals disposed on the rear side. Circuit wires, indicateddiagrammatically, extend laterally from the terminals to the sides ofthe board. 1'

For the purpose of providing for the vertical runs along the sides ofthe board, vertical wiring troughs are formed in the manner shown byFig. 2. In this arrangement the sheet metal panel A, for example, .hassuitably secured thereto vertical perforated wiring strips S which formwith the panel flanges A1 troughs for the vertical runs. The circuitwires enter and leave the trough by way of perforations in the strip Swhich is wired before it is mounted on the board. The verticaltroughs soformed are enclosed by detachable cover structures S. The wiringarrangement for the vertical runs so far described, which permits 'thecenter of the board to be substantially clear of vertical wiring, formsno part of the present invention and is described and claimed in PatentNo. 2,006,150 granted June 25, 1935 to Reed and Paxton for "Panelboardand method of wiring the same. It should be understood, however, thatthe method of wiring by templet as described in the above patent mayalso be applied to the present invention.

In installations of this character, it is often necessary tointerconnect devices on different individual panels, such for example,as wiring between the terminal as on panel A and the resistor indicatedat 01 on panel C. Where a large number of such interconnections arenecessary, itis clear that the problem of horizontal runs between thevarious panels becomes increasingly difiicult. If, for example, thevertical troughs alone were employed for solving this problem, it wouldbe necessary to run wires from intermediate points on the panelboard allthe way to the bottom or top of the board. This would locate so muchwiring in the vertical troughs that some of the advantages thereof, suchas ease of tracing, would be nullified.

In accordance with my invention, the horizontal wiring between panels iscarried in a horizontal wiring trough superposed on the main verticalruns but not interfering in any way with them. More particularly, thesehorizontal cross troughs are disposed at a suitable intermediateposition on the panelboard, the size or number of the horizontal crosstroughs being determined by the size and number of the panel units andby the number of devices to be wired.

As illustrated by Fig. l, a horizontal cross trough l is mounted on thepanels A, B and C in superposition with respect to the vertical troughsabovedescribed. As shown diagrammatically,the circuit wire from theterminal as on panel A extends to a. terminal block 2 positionedadjacent the trough, from which a conductor is led, in a mannerpresently described, directly into the cross trough I. The conductorextends through the cross trough to the panel in question, in thepresent case C, emerging to the terminal block 2", connecting to anotherwire extending by way of the adjacent vertical trough to the resistor01.

The terminal blocks 2, 2 and 2" on the respective panels A, B and C areadjustable in a direction parallel to the cross trough I so as toprovide greater flexibility and simplicity in making the variousconnections between panels. According.- ly, a cross trough may be wiredas a unit independently of the panelboard and placed in position on theboard, after which the conductors carried by the trough canbe suitablyconnected to the corresponding terminals on the blocks 2, 2' and 2",respectively.

Referring more particularly to the construction above referred to, thehorizontal cross trough l is composed of a longitudinal member or strip3, preferably of metal, having a large number of apertures 4 therein.The strip 3 is preferably of channel section having additional sideflanges 3 cooperating with a cover plate 5 for enclosing the channelpassage. The cover 5 may be detachably secured to the flanges 3, as bymeans of screws 6. The term strip as used herein is intended tocomprehend a. longitudinal piece of suitable material, either integralor fabricated, and is not limited to a flat ribbon-like member.

For the purpose of securing the strip 3 to the panelboard and formounting the same in spaced relation thereto so as to clear the verticalwiring troughs; a suitable bracket structure I secured to the panelflanges A, etc., and to the sides of the channel member 3 is provided asbest illustrated by Fig. 2. In order to provide for various lengthsotpanelboardsasbythenumberand sizes of panels, the cross trough l ispreferably sectionalized so that the channel strip 3 is divided intolengths corresponding generally to the width of a few panels. Byassembling these sections, it is possible to obtain continuous,horizontal, enclosed runs across the entire panelboard.

The apertured side of the strip 3, that is, the intermediate side of thechannel as disclosed, is preferably positioned parallel to the adjacentface of the panel A, although it shall be understood that in certaincases one or both side walls of the channel may be apertured forreceiving wiring. Also, it should be understood that trough enclosingstructure, instead of the strip 3, may be, if desired, directly securedto the panelboard.

Although I have shown in Fig. 2 a large number of perforations in thestrip 3, the channel strip may be constructed as illustrated by Fig. 3wherein the apertures are formed by knock-out 8 only at the places wherethe horizontal wiring is required. The aperture so formed is then linedwith a grommet 9 for preventing abrasion of the insulation on thecircuit wires which are preferably led into the trough as a group. Withthis arrangement the cross trough is more completely enclosed than inthe case where a. large number of smaller perforations are availablebut.

not used.

The circuit wires [0 which pass through the horizontal cross trough canbe mounted in the strip 3 prior to assembly on the board, the terminalblock 2 being adjustable for lining up the block terminals with theknock-out aperture through which the wires are led. The wires l0, whichextend longitudinally of the trough, extend through a suitable aperture4 towards the rear face of the panel and are then led directly to theterminal block 2 which is located directly beneath the aforesaidaperture. In the present instance, the terminal block 2 is madeadjustable by mounting the same in sliding relation on a pair ofparallel rods H which are secured at their opposite ends in brackets 12secured to the wiring strips S. Circuit wires Ill extend from theterminal block to the adjacent vertical trough and to associateddevices. If the size of the board warrants, a second cross trough may beprovided in spaced parallel relation to trough I.

Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate another form my invention may assume in thewiring of a single panel unit which does not afford space at the sidesfor the vertical runs, as for example S in Fig. 2. In Figs. 4 and 5 thewiring space or trough, generally indicated at i3, is verticallypositioned approximately midway between the side edges of the panel M.Accordingly, the side edges of the panel are practically free of wiring.By this arrangement, not only does a single trough, as contrasted with apair of side troughs,

serve completely a single panel unit but the horizontal runs of thecircuit wires can in no instance exceed in length half the width of thepanel. The wiring, even in the case of a complicated and crowded panelis therefore in a simple, symmetrical and very orderly plan.

Referring more particularly to the construction employed, the panel I4is of sheet metal with lateral flanges I4 and supports a number ofelectric devices, such as meters or the like, l5, terminal blocks I6 andother devices generally indicated at H and i8. It will be noted,referring to the wiring diagrammatically indicated for example, that thevertical runs between a terminal block Ii and a device 18 on the sameside of the trough and a vertical run between a device I I and a devicel8 on opposite sides or the trough are provided for with equal ease andwith comparatively little wiring showing on the panel.

For the purpose of mounting the trough, which is composed of achannel-shaped strip having apertures therein for the wiring as in Figs.2 and 3, a plurality of lateral strips 19 (Fig. 5) are secured betweenthe lateral flanges W and suitably support the apertured channel section20. Cover structure .2! cooperates with the section to form a verticallycontinuous wiring space for the wiring above referred to.

By the term panelboard, as used in the specification and claims, ismeant a plane surfaced board or panel generally vertically positioned,on which are mounted a number of electric devices such as switches,meters, instruments, etc., comprising a self-contained wired unit. Thedevices are generally mounted on one side of the board, and theterminals thereof extend through to the opposite side where they areconnected to the circuit wiring.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to specificdetails of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, andthat changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A panelboard comprising a flat surfaced supporting panel, electricdevices mounted on one side of said panel, terminals for said devices onthe opposite side of said panel, a wiring trough positioned in spacedrelation on said opposite side of said panel composed of a strip havingapertures therein, the apertured surface of said strip beingsubstantially parallel to and spaced from the adjacent face of saidpanel, means securing said strip in said spaced relation, and detachablecover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosed wiringspace, and circuit wires extending from certain of said terminalsthrough said wiring trough to other of said terminals, said wiresentering and leaving said trough at the side facing said panel by way ofapertures in said strip.

2. A panelboard comprising a fiat surfaced supporting panel, electricdevices mounted on one side of said panel, terminals for said devices onthe opposite side of said panel, a wiring trough mounted in spacedparallel relation to said opposite side of. said panel composed of ametallic channel-shaped strip, the intermediate wall of the channelsection being substantially parallel to and spaced from the adjacentface of said panel and having knock-outs for forming aperof kIlOCkrO'lltapertures in said strip.

3. A multi-unit panelboard comprising a plurality of fiat surfacedsupporting panels, electric devices mounted on said panels, terminalsfor said devices on one side of said panels, each of said supportingpanels provided with one or more vertically positioned perforated wiringstrips on said terminal side, means forming with each of said stripsvertical runways at the longitudinal sides of said panel for circuitwires interconnecting terminals on said panel, a horizontal wiringtrough superposed with respect to said vertical runways so as to bespaced from said panels and extending across more than one panel of themulti-unit board, said trough composed of a strip having aperturestherein, means securing said strip in spaced relation to said supportingpanels and in superposition with respect to said vertical wiring strips,and cover structure cooperating with said strip forming an enclosedwiring space extending horizontally along "said panels, and circuitwires extending from terminals on certain of said panels through saidwiring trough to terminals on other of said panels, said'wires enteringand leaving said trough at the side iaclng said panels by way ofapertures in said strip.

4. A multi-unit panelboard comprising a plurality of flat surfacedsupporting panels, electric devices mounted on said panels, means forfacilitating electrical connection between said devices including ahorizontal wiring trough extendingacross two or more panels of saidmulti-unit panelboard at one side thereof, said trough composed of astrip having apertures therein, means securing said strip in spacedparallel relation to the adjacent faces of said panels, cover structurecooperating with said strip forming an enclosed horizontally extendingwiring space inter connecting said panels, circuit wires extending fromone of said panels through said wiring trough by way of adjacentapertures in said strip to another of said panels, and a terminal blockslidably carried by a panel adjacent said trough for the trough wiresassociated with that member, said terminal block being adjustablymounted in adirection parallel to said trough.

5. A multi-unit panelboard comprising a plurality of alined fiatsurfaced vertically positioned supporting panels, electric devicesmounted on said panels, terminals for said devices on one side of saidpanels, a horizontal wiring trough positioned along said one side ofsaid panels interconnecting the same and spaced an appreciable distancefrom the upper and lower extremities of said panels composed of a striphaving apertures therein, means securing said strip in spaced parallelrelation to said panels, andcover structure cooperating with said stripforming an enclosed wiring space extending horizontally along saidplurality of panels, and circuit wires extending from terminals oncertain of said panels through said wiring trough to terminals on otherof said panels, said wires entering and leaving said trough at the sidefacing said panels by way of apertures in said strip.

6. A panelboard comprising a flat surfaced supporting member, electricdevices mounted on said member, terminals for said devices on the rearside of said member, a wiring trough positioned vertically along saidrear side and approximately midway between the longitudinal edgesthereof, said trough composed of a strip having apertures therein, theapertured surface oi. said strip being substantially parallel to andspaced with respect to said rear face and cover structure cooperatingwith said strip forming an enclosed vertically continuous wiring space,means detachably securing said strip in said spaced relation, andcircuit wires extending from trough to other of said terminals throughsaid wiring trough to other of said terminals, said apertures in saidstrip.

70 certain of said terminals through said wiring wires entering andleaving said trough by way of 1 '7. A panelboard comprising a flatsurfaced supporting member, electric devices mounted on said member,terminals for said devices on the rear side of said member, a wiringtrough positioned vertically along said rear side and approximatelymidway between the longitudinal edges thereof, said trough composed of astrip having apertures therein, and cover structure cooperating withsaid strip forming an enclosed vertically continuous wiring space, saidwiring space receiving the vertical runs of circuit wires betweenterminals on said member so that the horizontal runs do not exceed inlength half the width of said member, the circuit wires entering andleaving said space by way of apertures in said strip.

CERTIFICATE Patent No. 2,1]4Da576- ARVID E.

8. A panelboard comprising a fiat surfaced supporting member, electricdevicesmounted on said member, terminals for said devices on the rearside of said member, a wiring trough positioned vertically along andspaced with respect to said rear side, said trough composed of a striphaving apertures therein, and cover structure cooperating with saidstrip forming an enclosed vertically continuous wiring space, meanssecuring said trough in said spaced relation, and circuit wiresextending from certain of said terminals through said wiring trough toother of said terminals, said wires entering and leaving said trough byway of apertures in said strip.

ARVDD E. ANDERSON.

OF conaacrion.

December 15, 1938 ANDERSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page .2,second column, line 29, for lmock out'- read lmock-outs; page 5, secondcolumn, lines 72 and T5,'clai m 6, strike out the words: "through saidwiring trough to other of said terminals"; and that the said LettersPatent should be read with this correction therein thatthe same mayconform to the record of the case in the PatentOffice. I

Signed and sealed this 31st day of January, A.D. 1939;

, Henry .Yan Arsdale (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

